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LOCATION: N. E. Africa, by the Red Sea. Latitudes 12° to 18° N; Longitudes 36° to 44° E.
 AREA: 124,330 Sq. km.
POPULATION: 3.5 to 4 million.
RELIGIONS: Christianity & Islam.
LANGUAGES: Tigrinya & Arabic; English & Italian spoken.
HISTORY: Former Italian and British colony, federated with Ethiopia. Later annexed by Ethiopia, but liberated in 1991 after 30-year war.
CLIMATE: Climatic Zones – Highland plateau (2,000m.) including capital, Asmara, 10° to 22°; Western lowlands, cool to warm; Eastern coastal plain, pleasant in winter months & hot in summer. Rainfall - Short rains in March & April. Longer heavier showers with occasional hailstorms from late June to end-August.
GETTING THERE: By air through Cairo, Dubai, Frankfurt, Khartoum, Nairobi and Sana'a. By land through Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti by sea through Red Sea ports of Massawa and Assab.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport with appropriate visa obtainable from any Eritrean Diplomatic Mission abroad. No visa required for i.) Employees of air/shipping lines represented in Eritrea travelling on duty; ii.) Boat tourists arriving in Massawa and Assab for 48 hours, but shore pass required. Visa on arrival available to Group Visitors, upon prior notification through travel agents or tour operators in Eritrea.
CUSTOMS: Personal effects admitted free. Duty free allowance of 1 litre alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes and ½ litre perfume. Fire arms prohibited
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